How is thyroid cancer treated?

The team considers the thyroid tumour’s type, size, position and whether it has reached lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Thyroid removal surgery may remove part or all of the gland, sometimes with nearby lymph nodes. The tissue removed is examined to refine the next step.

Radioactive iodine therapy can be used for selected thyroid cancers after surgery because thyroid cells can take up iodine. Targeted therapy may be considered when cancer is advanced or has features that make a particular medicine suitable. Some small or lower-risk cancers may be monitored closely instead of treated immediately, with scheduled examinations and tests.

Ask whether you need part or all of the thyroid removed and how treatment could affect thyroid hormone levels, voice and calcium balance. Tell the team about a neck lump, hoarse voice, previous neck treatment and all medicines. If surgery is planned, ask when hormone replacement starts and how follow-up blood tests will be arranged.

After neck surgery, seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, rapidly increasing neck swelling or inability to swallow. Report tingling around the mouth, muscle cramps, fever, wound redness or drainage promptly. During follow-up, contact the team for a growing neck lump, persistent hoarse voice or new swallowing difficulty.

What type of thyroid cancer do I have? Is surgery alone enough? Could radioactive iodine or targeted therapy help? How will hormone replacement and surveillance be managed?